The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced enrollment dates for the 2026 Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), giving agricultural producers and landowners new opportunities to enroll eligible land in long-term conservation practices.
According to the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), Continuous CRP enrollment will be accepted from February 12 through March 20, 2026. General CRP enrollment will run from March 9 through April 17, 2026.
Signup dates for Grassland CRP are expected to be announced soon.
CRP is USDA’s primary conservation program and provides financial and technical assistance to producers and landowners who voluntarily place environmentally sensitive or marginal cropland under 10- to 15-year contracts.
In return, participants convert the land to vegetative cover that helps improve water quality, reduce soil erosion, and support wildlife habitat.
USDA officials say enrollment this year is expected to be competitive, with only 1.9 million acres available nationwide under the program’s 27-million-acre cap.
“This isn’t about enrolling the most acres possible,” said USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce. “It’s about accepting the acres that deliver the greatest long-term benefits to soil, water, and wildlife.”
Continuous CRP
Continuous CRP offers are accepted on a rolling basis and focus on targeted conservation practices.
Re-enrollments of existing Continuous CRP acreage will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, while new offers will be evaluated based on conservation priorities such as water quality improvements and habitat restoration.
The first batching period for Continuous CRP ends March 20, 2026.
Eligible practices include wetlands, riparian buffers, wildlife habitat, and other environmentally sensitive areas. Participants receive annual rental payments and cost-share assistance.
Programs under Continuous CRP include:
- CLEAR and CLEAR30, which focus on improving water quality
- Highly Erodible Land Initiative (HELI)
- Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)
- State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE)
General CRP
General CRP operates through a competitive bidding process.
Offers are ranked after the enrollment period closes using national environmental benefit criteria.
Approved participants receive annual rental payments and may qualify for cost-share assistance.
